Footy Tragic

Geelong vs Collingwood:

Looking Good:

• Jimmy Bartel: This was always going to be a game he would thrive in and he did exactly that – his work under the packs was fantastic, but what separates Bartel from other midfielders is his ability above his head – he finished with 7 marks for the game – very good for an inside midfielder.
• James Kelly: Kelly lined up on the wing in a best on ground display. He showed a lot of poise and class for a player who had missed the prior week with injury and now looks in some great form. It is also great that you can pick him as a defender after playing roles back there in 2009.
• Corey Enright: This was Enright’s second strong rebounding game in a row as he worked hard off Didak. He has the ability to push high through the midfield, as well as drop back to play kick-to-kick with Scarlett – awesome for dream team. Like the Cats, he is coming into some super form and he has always been a consistent scorer, so jump on board!

Disappointing:

• Leon Davis: Another big game and once again, Davis did nothing. He finished the game with 9 disposals and one behind – very, very poor for a player with his capabilities. Stay well away from him in 2010!
• Chris Dawes: After some super recent form, Dawes was easily beaten by Taylor and Lonergan. He did try hard, but the delivery was well below par.
• Tom Hawkins: Hawkins had a super first half, but faded in the second. He is actually looking in some good form as he is rotated through the ruck, but he is still lacking that consistency which is preventing him from taking the leap from good to great. He could be a great 2011 option though.

Blip on the Radar:

• Nick Maxwell: Maxwell is very good at playing behind the ball and taking plenty of marks and kicks, but the irregularities of his game mean that he is far from a consistent dream teamer. Some weeks he will play much tighter on his man, leading to some very hyperactive scoring.

Western Bulldogs vs Sydney:

Looking Good:

• Brian Lake: Lake’s 192 points was the 6^th best dream team game in recordable history – not too bad at all for the few that own him! It was a classic kick-mark-kick-mark-etc game as he played off the first gamer, O’Keefe. Lake will typically only average half of this, so don’t get too excited…
• Adam Cooney: Looked back at his browlow best, winning possessions and clearances at will. Take note though, Cooney is typically more of a SuperCoach player than DT, however he does win enough of the ball to clock up the ton a few times!
• Ryan Hargrave: YAAAAY!!! Finally, after ‘apparently’ bottoming out a few weeks ago, Hargrave has finally bounced back with a great game off half back – he was loose man alongside Lake and together they did as the pleased.

Disappointing:

• Sam Wright: One touch in the first half and five in the second sum up his efforts – it’s probably time he headed back to Werribee to find some form.
• Barry Hall: Was reported twice against Scott Thompson and despite each time being provoked, Barry is every chance to be gone for at least a couple of weeks with his record. Wasn’t in amazing form either…
• Matt Campbell: Campbell has proven to be one of the biggest NAB cup teases of the year – average for a few games before being dropped, and now that he is back, all he could conjure up was five touches, equalling the game’s lowest score of 29.

Blip on the Radar:

• Brian Lake: … Don’t be expecting 192 every week!

Sydney vs Fremantle:

Looking Good:

• David Mundy: Despite coming into the game under an injury cloud, Mundy proved to be one of the most pivotal players for Freo. His precise kicking is a feature of his game and his teammates constantly deliver him the ball because of this.
• Nick Malceski: Was great off half-back and kicked a ripper goal too. He really stood up in Kennelly’s place, which was great to see. His kick to handball ratio is also brilliant!
• Nat Fyfe: I’m loving watching this kid on the half-forward line. He seems to read the game beautifully and is always waiting across the half-forward line as Freo’s main link player. He is also highly skilled in the air and has a lot of confidence in himself despite his size, allowing him to play at the capacity he currently is.

Disappointing:

• Aaron Sandilands: Leading into this game many people were suggesting that big 211 could be the first AFL player to make it to 50 hitouts in a game and would therefore be a brilliant captain choice… Unfortunately, although he got himself 35 hitouts, his meagre 10 disposals dragged his score down a bit.
• Tadhg Kennelly: Copped a knee injury that took him off the field statless. Unfortunately, 2010 is the first year in which Virtual Sports have changed the rule to state that the zero WILL count towards your score… how unfortunate!
• Stephen Hill: Couldn’t handle the tag from Smith in the slightest and was hardly seen all day. Whilst he is damaging, the likes of Mundy and Duffield are probably more likely to be the ones getting attention in the future.

Blip on the Radar:

• Kepler Bradley: Has come into the side to fill Michael Johnson’s role and actually played quite well (he looked good in his other game for the season too). But seriously, Bradley is a known DT/AFL dud – this long into his career things aren’t about to change!

Essendon vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

• David Hille: I don’t envy all the people who traded Hille to Seaby after round two… Hille absolutely dominated this match – he was very strong through the midfield and smashed Richmond in the ruck. His three goals up forward were just icing on the cake. He looks to be recovering very well from his knee injury – he looks to have his speed and agility back, in fact, his fast leads in the forward line were a highlight.
• Jack Riewoldt: Riewoldt looked dangerous every time Richmond went forward and he finished the game with six goals. I love the fact he is very strong in the air, but as soon as the ball spills he has the awareness, agility and nous of a small forward.
• Paddy Ryder: Floated around the ground as second ruckman and rarely seemed to be caught with an opponent. Over the past couple of weeks it looks like he has come back into some form, but he is still very much second-fiddle to Hille.

Disappointing:

• Jake King: Why people have him in their teams is beyond me – played as a back-pocket tagger on Davey – about the only role he should be trusted with.
• Mark McVeigh: Once again, McVeigh played deep in defence and had occasional stints in the forward line, but he seems to be going nowhere near the midfield. He could have been a bargain this year, but it is time to count your losses and move him on.
• Scott Gumbleton: Really well held by McGuane, but for what it’s worth, he never looked like he stopped leading or trying, so it’s not like he had a stinker – he just couldn’t get anywhere near it!

Blip on the Radar:

• Angus Graham: Graham showed last year that he is capable of scoring the occasional big score, but his job security and immense inconsistency should rule him out of any dream team.

Melbourne vs Port Adelaide:

Looking Good:

• Brad Green: Green continues to be damaging both through the midfield and up forward, finishing with 23 disposals and three goals for the night. In a much more mature Melbourne team, Green is likely to take his game to another level.
• Travis Boak: Boak was easily the most influential Port player and used his foot much more than his hands, which was a bonus. Really stamping himself as a premium player in the making.
• Colin Sylvia: Sylvia finally showed us some form after several poor games in a row – he moved up to the HFF and had several stints through the midfield. The return on Wonaeaimirri and the form of Miller should mean Sylvia will get plenty of opportunities on the ball in the coming weeks.

Disappointing:

• Daniel Motlop: He spends too much time trying to do the special stuff and not enough time doing much else. Essentially, if he isn’t on a boundary or on someone’s shoulders, he ain’t interested!
• Jordie McKenzie: Still had his five tackles, but his average 10 disposals wasn’t enough. With the consistency he has shown throughout the rest of the season, I expect that he will bounce back pretty quickly.
• Chad Cornes: Has been deployed forward in Tredrea’s absence but was well held to only one goal. Unfortunately, for DT purposes, Cornes has always been much better in the backline, so don’t be looking at him as a bargain pick anytime soon.

Blip on the Radar:

• Brad Miller: Was great at full-forward, but just ask any Melbourne supporter when was the last time he kicked five goals straight! He may be coming into some form, but he is not the player you want!

Adelaide vs Brisbane:

Looking Good:

• Ash McGrath: Went back to the rebounding role that saw him finish 2009 strongly. He plays this role well and has the potential to pull in some big numbers. Definitely one to look closely at!
• Richard Douglas: Played through the midfield with time on the HFF and was Adelaide’s most damaging player. I still don’t trust his consistency, however he is looking better than the past couple of years.
• Nathan Van Berlo: NVB is starting to learn the art of DT in 2010, proven by a few games where he has managed a respectable number of possessions. In years past he has not been much of a ball-winner, but this year things look to be changing a bit for him.

Disappointing:

• Jonathan Brown: Clearly hampered by the injury and really needs to be rested. I would prefer him to take a zero than continually see him leak stacks of cash on my field!
• Nathan Bock: Played a much more defensive game this week on Brown. I’m not sure if his lack of rebound was due to the quality of the opposition or the role he was given, but he didn’t look much like a player I’d want in my dream team.
• Amon Buchanan: Looks a chance to be dropped again as he gave very little to the Lions cause.

Blip on the Radar:

• Brent Reilly: Reilly once tempted us as a player with lots of DT potential, but all he has shown us this year as a tagger is an ability to prevent his opposition from getting possessions, rather than getting them himself. This one game goes nowhere near suggesting that he is a player you want.

Carlton vs Hawthorn:

Looking Good:

• Luke Hodge: Dominated Carlton, and once again found himself without an opponent. I think it is his ability to play so many positions that prevents him from being matched by a tagger. Not that I’m complaining as he is in super form!
• Chris Judd: Once again Judd proved untaggable and also a very good DT prospect in the process. He is having a brilliant year and is showing no signs of slowing down – for the first time in a few years, Juddy could be a great choice in your team.
• Heath Scotland: Scotland doesn’t play the most amazing style of football, but he is a great dream teamer. He continually streamed off the half-back line with ball in hand on his way to a nifty 132 points.

Disappointing:

• Setanta O’hAilpin: Whilst he is not expected to star, the fact he has been a dominant figure in several games this year causes expectations. Unfortunately, he had only the one disposal in the first half as a full-forward, but managed to get a couple of cheapies when thrown back later in the game.
• Cyril Rioli: Tagged out of the game and had little effect on the contest. He will struggle to work through tags with his groin injuries.
• Eddie Betts: As Carlton’s ‘full-forward,’ Betts kicked no goals and looked easily beaten. He has definitely stepped up in 2010, but he is still as inconsistent as ever!

Blip on the Radar:

• Sam Jacobs: Jacobs has really impressed in his few games as replacement for the out-of-form Warnock, but I always worry how long this form will last with young ruckmen. You are better spending your money elsewhere anyway.

West Coast vs St.Kilda:

Looking Good:

• Lenny Hayes: Oh what a champ – this was my favourite individual performance of the weekend. Lenny worked his heart out, especially in an inspirational third quarter where he willed the Saints to lift. He is in stellar form and it is not yet too late to get on board!
• Brendon Goddard: BJ really lifted in the second half when moved to CHF. As usual he worked really hard in the contests and is consistently the go-to player before heading into the forward-50, equalling plenty of marks and kicks.
• Adam Selwood: Tagged Goddard in parts, but won his own ball very well. Despite his role involving preventing another player from getting the ball, he is always willing to win his own ball and be used as an outside option too.

Disappointing:

• Mark LeCras: Was smashed by Raph Clarke to the point of frustration. He had very little effect on the game and just couldn’t get into it when it counted.
• Nick Heyne: After his second game, eyes will look upon this ‘bubble-boy,’ however I feel his spot in the team may not be very safe. Whilst playing well in patches, he did lack consistency across the four quarters, which may end up seeing him make way for a more senior player.
• Nic Naitanui: Played well in the ruck, but was beaten for smarts around the ground by Gardiner and McEvoy. He was even trialled as an on-baller in the last quarter to try and get him into the match, yet this still didn’t work.

Blip on the Radar:

• Ben McKinley: Kicked four goals in the first half and then was hardly sighted again. He is a player known for his low work-rate when the chips don’t fall his way and he proved this tonight. When the Eagles are up he will fire, but if there are struggling, he’s not going to be anywhere near it.